- Do you often find yourself saying “make a development” and wondering if it sounds natural to native speakers?
- Are you confused about whether to use “fast,” “quick,” or “rapid” when describing growth?
- Do you want to sound more professional in business meetings when discussing project progress or career growth?
Mastering collocations with the word “development” is a game-changer for English learners. In English, words don’t exist in isolation; they live in “word partnerships.” Using the right adjective or verb with “development” ensures your English sounds fluid, professional, and precise, moving you away from literal translations and toward native-level fluency.
Essential Collocations using DEVELOPMENT as a Noun
In English, “development” is primarily used as a noun. It refers to the process of growing, becoming more mature, or the act of creating something new. To use it correctly, we must look at the adjectives that describe it and the verbs that initiate it.
Adjectives Describing Speed and Nature
- Rapid development: Very fast progress.
Example: The rapid development of AI technology has surprised many experts. - Sustainable development: Growth that does not deplete resources.
Example: The city is focusing on sustainable development to protect the environment. - Steady development: Consistent and regular progress.
Example: We have seen steady development in the students’ reading skills this semester. - Urban development: The growth and planning of cities.
Example: New urban development projects are transforming the downtown area.
Professional and Personal Growth
- Professional development: Learning to earn or maintain professional credentials.
Example: The company offers a generous budget for professional development workshops. - Career development: The process of managing your learning and work throughout life.
Example: She is seeking advice on career development to reach a management position. - Cognitive development: The growth of a person’s ability to think and reason.
Example: Play is essential for a child’s cognitive development.
Verbs that Lead or Support Development
- Foster development: To encourage or promote growth.
Example: The government aims to foster development in rural areas. - Hinder development: To make it difficult for something to grow.
Example: A lack of funding can hinder development of the new vaccine. - Undergo development: To experience the process of being developed.
Example: The prototype is currently undergoing development in the lab. - Spur development: To cause development to happen faster.
Example: Lowering taxes can spur economic development.
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid development | Adjective + Noun | Very fast growth or progress. |
| Foster development | Verb + Noun | To encourage something to grow. |
| Personal development | Adjective + Noun | Improving one’s own skills or character. |
| Undergo development | Verb + Noun | To be in the process of being created. |
| Economic development | Adjective + Noun | The growth of a country’s wealth. |
| Hinder development | Verb + Noun | To stop or slow down progress. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
Many learners try to translate directly from their native language, leading to “heavy” or “clunky” English. Use this table to check your usage.
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| Make a development | Achieve development or Undergo development |
| High development | Significant development or Major development |
| Fast development (in tech) | Rapid development |
| Do professional development | Pursue professional development |
Contextual Story
“As the Project Manager, I am thrilled to report a significant development in our software project. Despite initial hurdles that threatened to hinder development, the team’s hard work has allowed us to undergo development phases much faster than anticipated. We are now focusing on sustainable development practices to ensure the app remains stable. This success is a testament to our commitment to professional development, as every team member recently completed advanced coding certifications.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Development Collocations
Is it “development of” or “development in”?
Both are correct but used differently. Use “development of” for the thing being created (e.g., the development of a new app). Use “development in” for a field or area (e.g., developments in medical technology).
Can “development” be plural?
Yes. When referring to new events or changes in a situation, we use “developments.” For example: “Have there been any new developments in the police investigation?”
What is the difference between “growth” and “development”?
Growth usually refers to an increase in size or quantity (physical or economic). Development implies an improvement in quality, complexity, or maturity.
How do I talk about software development naturally?
In a tech context, common collocations include “software development life cycle,” “agile development,” and “full-stack development.”
What verb should I use for a new event?
When a new situation occurs, we say a “development arises” or “a development takes place.”
Fantastic explanation! It's these kinds of subtle distinctions that really elevate one's English from good to great. Keep these articles coming, Translateen!
This article beautifully illustrates why collocations are so important. It's not just about knowing the words, but knowing their friends! Thank you for these practical examples.
The explanation of 'development' as primarily a noun is very clear. It helps cement its role in sentences.
How about phrases like 'impeded development' or 'hinder development'? Are those also considered strong collocations for when things aren't going well?
Absolutely, Sofia! 'Impeded development' and 'hinder development' are indeed strong and accurate collocations used to describe situations where progress is slowed or stopped. 'Impeded' means hindered or obstructed, while 'hinder' is the verb for causing delay or difficulty. They are excellent choices for discussing challenges or setbacks in progress, adding a professional touch to your vocabulary.
This is exactly what I needed! I've been struggling with making my academic writing sound more natural. 'Sustainable development' is a key phrase for my field, and getting it right is crucial.
Can you give another example of 'steady development' in a non-business context, maybe related to personal growth?
Certainly, Fatima! For personal growth, you could say: 'Learning a new language often involves steady development; you might not notice huge leaps every day, but consistent practice leads to significant progress over time.' This highlights the continuous, reliable, and consistent nature of the progress.
Are there any informal or slang collocations with 'development' that native speakers use, or is it generally quite a formal word?
That's an interesting thought, Kenji! Generally, 'development' itself tends to be a more formal or neutral word, especially in the contexts discussed (business, technology, growth). You'd rarely find it paired with slang. However, in casual speech, you might hear simpler verbs like 'things are coming along' or 'things are moving forward' instead of 'seeing development.' The collocations we've covered maintain a professional tone.
I used 'quick development' in a report last week and felt it sounded a bit off. Now I see why 'rapid' or 'swift' might have been better. Live and learn! Thanks for the clarity.
In my native language, we would just use one word for 'development' and the nuance comes from context or a very simple adverb. This article makes it clear why English needs these specific word partnerships. It's a whole different way of thinking!
Is there a nuance between 'slow development' and 'gradual development'? The article mentioned 'steady,' but I'm curious about others.
That's a very insightful question, Maria! 'Slow development' focuses purely on the speed, indicating a lack of quickness. 'Gradual development' emphasizes a step-by-step process, happening in small stages over time, often implying a natural, unfolding progression. While 'gradual' might also be 'slow,' it highlights the incremental nature rather than just the pace. So, 'gradual' is about the manner, 'slow' is about the speed.